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2.

3. . To ensure that the belongings of new Council House tenants r.re free
from vermin an inspection is made by a. Sanitary Inspector before removal
Where bed bugs are found, the furniture and other belongings are
treated by spraying with insecticide and the bedding by steam
disinfection, or, with the tenants consent, the bedding is destroyed.
PUBLIC MORTUARY.
During the year 58 bodies were received into the Mortuary, 58 post
mortem examination were carried out and 14 inquests were held.
This does not include deaths from war operations.
RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION.
The Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919. has hitherto been
administered in this Borough by the Surrey County Council.
In 1942 Ministerial responsibility under that Act in Urban areas
was transferred from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to the
Ministry of Food.
In May 1943' the minifeter of Food, under powers conferred on him by
the Defence Regulations, ftiadfe the infestation Order, 1943. This Order,
amongst other things gave power to the Minister of Food to give
"directions" to"local'atithbritiek to perform the fallowing functions:-
(a) To make a comprehensive report to the Minister with
regard to infestations by rats and mice and the
measures taken or proposed to deal therewith.
(b) The remedying of such infestations, and
(c) The enforcement of any "direction" in relation to
infestations given by 'the" Minister to any occupier
or other responsible' per'son.
A conference of' reper'e's'ehtative's' 'of authorities in the London Area
was called by the Ministry of Food, and subsequently a Committee
comprising fifteen members appointed by those authorities was formed
to assist the Ministry in administering a scheme of rodent control,
The first "direction" issued was for the making of a survey in
each local authority area to locate the large colonies of rats
("reservoir" and-•"■ma jor-"' -infestations) . This survey was to be made
by each local a-u-thority whether or not it possessed statutory powers
under the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919.
The survey was duly carried out in this Borough with the
co-operation of the Surrey County Council's Superviser of Rat
Destruction, and revealed one "reservoir" and two "major" infestrtions.
These infestations were subsequently dealt with by the County'Council
under contract with the occupie. Ministry ers of the premises concerned.
To facilitate .this survey thof Food embarked upon a
publicity campaign, urging the public to report the presence of rats.
This brought a considerable number of complaints to the Department and,
on the whole, the information was valuable. Unfortunately there was
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